ISU

Figure Skating Judging System

Competition Officials

Technical Panel

The Technical Panel is composed of the Technical Controller, the Technical Specialist and the Assistant Technical Specialist, each one from different ISU Members (countries). A Data Operator assists them for recording purposes. An instantaneous slow-motion video replay system operated by a Replay Operator supports the Technical Panel in the identification of the performed elements. The Technical Specialist, assisted by the Assistant Technical Specialist, identifies and calls the performed elements and the specific Levels of Difficulty of certain performed elements (e.g. spins, footwork,). He/She identifies illegal or additional elements and falls. The Technical Controller authorizes and/or corrects all calls, supervises the Data Operator and can propose corrections, if necessary.

In case of disagreement, the majority among the three Officials prevails.

Judges

Under the ISU Judging System the Judges focus entirely on evaluating the quality of each element performed (Technical Score) and the quality of the performance (Presentation Score)

Their scores will be based on specific quality criteria for each element and will provide a comprehensive assessment of each skater’s skills and performance, without comparing each skater in relation to all others. The Judge enters the scores through a touch screen unit. At ISU Events, Judges may review in real time certain elements of the skaters’ performances by means of an instantaneous Video Replay System.

There will be a panel of a maximum of 9 Judges per segment. The scores of these Judges will form the result. Out of these scores, the highest and lowest score of each element or program component are ignored and the average will be taken from the remainder, generating the trimmed mean (average score).

Technical Score

Each element performed has a base value and the judges assign a “Grade of Execution” to the element allowing the element to increase in value when done well or decrease in value when done poorly.

A group of experts, including experienced skaters and coaches, have worked out a summary list of each element’s Base Value as well as its “Level of Difficulty” in case of spins, steps, lifts, etc. The level of points of the Base Value depends on the difficulty of the element.

Some elements such as spins and footwork sequences are further broken down depending on their “Level of Difficulty”.

These element Base Values and Levels of Difficulty ensure that skaters receive the appropriate and consistent credit for every element performed. The Base Value of all recognized elements are reviewed by the respective Technical Committees and published annually by the ISU in a Communication.

The name of the identified element will be listed instantaneously on the Judge’s screen. The Judge then simply grades the quality of the element on a scale of +3, +2, +1, 0, -1, -2, -3. With this scale and the resulting “quality judgment”, the Judge can either increase or decrease the Base Value of each performed element.

The total of all the elements scores gives the Technical Score.

Presentation Score

In addition to the Technical Score, the Judges will award points on a scale from 0.25 to 10.00 with increments of 0.25 for the Presentation Score to grade the overall presentation of the performance with five (5) Program Components: Skating Skills, Transitions, Performance, Composition, and Interpretation of the Music /Timing (for Ice Dance). For Pair Skating and Ice Dance there must be equal demonstration of the criteria by both skaters.

The Components definitions and criteria are now updated in order to avoid possible overlapping and make the criteria more understandable and clear.

• Transitions which is the variety, difficulty and purposeful use of intricate footwork, positions, movements and holds that link all elements.

• Performance is the physical and emotional involvement of the skater/couple as they deliver the intent of the music and composition (e.g. carriage, style, personality, variety, contrasts, projection).

• Composition is an intentionally developed and/or original arrangement of all types of movements according to the principles of musical phrase, space, pattern, and structure (e.g. idea, concept, unity, pattern, phrasing, originality, design)

• Interpretation of the Music /Timing (for Ice Dance) it is the personal, creative, and genuine translation of the rhythm, character and content of music to movement on ice.

Final Score

The total segment score is obtained from the Technical Score plus the Presentation Score, after having subtracted any deduction (for example -1.0 for a fall). Then, the Short Program and the Free Skating scores are added together to form the final score.In Ice Dance the scores of the Short Dance and Free Dance are added.

The participant with the highest total score wins.

Availability of Data and Statistics

At the end of each segment, a list will be published which includes all relevant scoring data for skaters.

Under the ISU Judging System there is far more data available to analyze than before. This data can help the National Federations, athletes and coaches to improve future performances.

The media, skating fans and general public can find statistics and detailed data on the ISU website: www.isu.org

Officials Accountability

The skaters performances are video recorded and can be reviewed on DVD at any time.

A computer checks and identifies possible anomalies which are further checked by an appointed Officials Assessment Commission. These anomalies can either be supported or refuted by the Commission as possibilities for a variance in the scoring. Refuted possibilities or repeated errors by a single official could result in a sanction.

Personal Bests / World Standings

The ISU maintains on-going statistics regarding individual records. This includes information on personal bests, highest scores, seasonal bests etc. The most important individual results over the period of the last two years are ranked in the World Standings. The “Seasons Best” is displayed for each skater/couple on the scoreboard in the arena.

Most important changes accepted by the ISU Congress 2016

1. Cancel anonymity of Judges in publication of results.For all figure skating competitions, Championships, Events and Olympic Winter Games, the Judges names and their respective scores will be published.

2. Increase deduction for multiple falls in Senior Single Skating.-1.0 for the first and second fall, -2.0 for the third and fourth falls, -3.0 for the fifth and any further falls.

3. Change the Draw for the starting order for the final 2 Groups in the Free Program/Free Dance.For ISU Events, OWG and WYOG the last two groups are divided into 2 sub-groups each (top 3+next 3 in Singles, top 2+next 2 in Pairs, top 3+next 2 in Ice Dance) with a separate draw in each sub-group. The best placed skaters in Short Program /Short Dance skate in the “later skating” sub-group.

Minimum Total Technical Scores

Skaters/couples participating in ISU Championships must have reached in an ISU recognized International Competition (as per Article 38, paragraph 7 of the ISU Constitution and Rule 107, paragraphs 1 to 9 of the ISU General Regulations) during the ongoing season or the immediately preceding season the applicable minimum Technical Scores (both for Short Program/Short Dance and Free Skating/ Free Dance).